Local 2012 election is in the books

The 2012 election is over. Nationally, President Barack Obama was re-elected to lead the country for another four years. In Minnesota, democrats gained majorities in both the Senate and the House and the public voted down both proposed Voter ID and Marriage Amendments. Locally, several closely contested races will bring new leadership to municipal and county governments come the new year.

Comment

By Scott TedrickNews Editor

Granite Falls Advocate Tribune

By Scott TedrickNews Editor

Posted Nov. 8, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Updated Nov 8, 2012 at 12:43 PM

By Scott TedrickNews Editor

Posted Nov. 8, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Updated Nov 8, 2012 at 12:43 PM

The 2012 election is over. Nationally, President Barack Obama was re-elected to lead the country for another four years. In Minnesota, democrats gained majorities in both the Senate and the House and the public voted down both proposed Voter ID and Marriage Amendments. Locally, several closely contested races will bring new leadership to municipal and county governments come the new year.

In Granite Falls, Mayor Dave Smiglewski, Council Member At-Large Scott Peterson and Ward I (west Granite Falls) representative Joe Fagnano were re-elected to the city council while write-in candidate Sarina Otaibi bested long-term councilman and fellow write-in candidate Bill Miller.

The outcome was less dramatic for the Clarkfield City Council which had no contested races and two spots open for write-in candidates. Here, Mayor Gene Kockelman was re-elected to his second term as Mayor while Dave Biermaier was also chosen to reprise his council role. Taking the place of departing council members Francis Staab and Bob Schlenner are two write-in candidates, Scott Vold and Erin Crosby.

The Yellow Medicine East School Board had five candidates vying for four seats. All four incumbents –– Jane Hagert, Tim Opdahl, Steve Zumhofe and Grant Velde –– were re-elected leaving challenger, Mark Hoeper, the odd man out.

In Yellow Medicine County, District 1 (Echo and Wood Lake) board representative Greg Renneke topped Joe Rohlik to retain his spot on the Yellow Medicine County Board, while fellow commissioner incumbents Louis Sherlin, Ron Antony and Gary Johnson also carried the day, with only Sherlin running opposed. Winner of the District 2 (west Granite Falls) seat that has been vacant for the past year following the death of commissioner Dick Wambeke was John Berends over Mitch Brovold in a nail-biter.